On February 19, 2020, Helen Marie Burdick went to heaven where beautiful souls go to rest, at the age of 97. Her strength in overcoming so many afflictions was astonishing, we are consoled that her journey home was peaceful.
Helen was born in Fraser on Dec. 12, 1922, to Joseph and Marie Schick, the third of four children. After attending a one-room school on West Platner Brook, she was in the one of the first graduating classes at the new, expanded Delaware Academy. Afterwards, she worked at Scintilla in Sidney for a few years.
Helen was married to Oren A. “Stub” Burdick on August 4, 1945. They made their home in Bloomville, on their dairy farm. Oren ran the farm and she took care of the household, growing vegetables and berries, canning and freezing food. She was a “Jill of all trades”; some of her feats included painting and wallpapering, refinishing furniture, raising rabbits and attending to five children.
She enjoyed country music, crocheting, putting puzzles together on the dining room table, reading western novels, and watching birds in the backyard, though she was really in her element in her gardens. The yearly battle with the birds over the berries had the family involved in helping with some pretty clever constructions. She listened, was funny, and was a quiet, private person who possessed a gentle spirit and a compassionate soul. She is already sorely missed; our hearts are broken.
She is survived by her children: Gail Hough of Binghamton, Laura (Jerry) Murphy of Camp Verde, Ariz., Neil (Lisa) Burdick of Bloomville, Mary Burdick of Albany and Wayne (Betsy) Burdick of Bloomville; grandchildren Jennifer (Josh) Billings of Catonsville, Md. and Emily (Bryan) Lyons of Ellicott City, Md.; great-grandchildren Mason, Cooper and Kellen Billings and baby Joseph Bryan Lyons: step-grandchildren Daniel (Jamie) Nelson of Bloomville and Michael (Kelly) DelRosario of Jefferson.
Helen was predeceased by her parents when she was 16 years old (3 months apart); her siblings Clarence, Raymond and Anna; her husband Oren in 1992; and a grandson Jeremy Melvin Burdick in 1998. It’s a comfort to know they are reunited.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29, at St. Peter’s Church, Cross Street, Delhi. Friends and relatives are invited to MacArthur Funeral Home, 134 Main Street, Delhi, immediately following the Mass for continued fellowship. Burial will be held in the Spring at Riverside Cemetery, Bloomville.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Helen to the Delaware County Office for the Aging or to a charity of one’s choice.
Visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the Burdick family.
